Closure device

ABSTRACT

A container ( 120 ) includes a closure device ( 121 ). The closure device includes interlocking fastening strips ( 130, 131 ) and a slider ( 132 ) slidably disposed on the fastening strips for facilitating the occlusion and deocclusion of the fastening strips. The slider ( 132 ) includes a top portion ( 140 ) and first and second side portions ( 142, 144 ). The slider additionally includes shoulders that merge into the first and second side portions and prevent the slider from being disengaged from the fastening strips. The slider includes long length front shoulders ( 150, 156 ) and long length rear shoulders ( 162, 164 ) in conjunction with shorter length front shoulders ( 152, 154 ) and shorter length rear shoulders ( 160, 166 ). If an upward force ( 180 ) is applied to the slider ( 132 ), the longer length shoulders are designed to remain engaged with the fastening strips when the side portions of the slider are forced to flex outward.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to closure devices and,more particularly, to a slider having shoulders of differing lengths.The invention is particularly well suited for fastening flexible storagecontainers, including plastic bags.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The use of closure devices for fastening storage containers,including plastic bags, is generally known. Furthermore, the manufactureof closure devices made of plastic materials is generally known to thoseskilled in the art, as demonstrated by the numerous patents in thisarea.

[0003] A particularly well-known use for closure devices is inconnection with flexible storage containers, such as plastic bags. Insome instances, the closure device and the associated container areformed from thermoplastic materials, and the closure device and thesidewalls of the container are integrally formed by extrusion as asingle piece. Alternatively, the closure device and sidewalls of thecontainer may be formed as separate pieces and then connected by heatsealing or any other suitable connecting process. In either event, suchclosure devices are particularly useful in providing a closure means forretaining matter within the bag.

[0004] Conventional closure devices typically utilize mating fasteningstrips or closure elements, which are used to selectively seal the bag.A slider may be provided for use in opening and closing the fasteningstrips. Some of these sliders include a separator. When the slider ismoved in the appropriate direction, the separator divides the fasteningstrips and opens the bag.

[0005] The slider may include shoulders disposed along the bottom of theslider that engage the fastening strips and prevent the slider frombeing removed from the fastening strips. However, if enough force isapplied to the slider in the vertical direction, the sides of the slidermay flex outwards allowing the slider to be removed from the fasteningstrips.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] According to the teachings of the present invention, the closuredevice includes interlocking fastening strips. The closure also includesa slider slidably disposed on the interlocking fastening strips forfacilitating the occlusion and deocclusion of the fastening strips whenmoved towards first and second ends of the fastening strips. The sliderincludes a shoulder with a short length and a shoulder with a longlength. The short and long length shoulders are disposed across fromeach other along the bottom edge of the slider. The longer shoulders aredesigned to remain engaged to the fastening strips if sufficient forcehas been applied to the slider to flex the sides of the slider.

[0007] These and other objects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will become more readily apparent upon reading the followingdetailed description of exemplified embodiments and upon reference tothe accompanying drawings herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container according to thepresent invention in the form of a plastic bag;

[0009]FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top view of the container in FIG. 1;

[0010]FIG. 3 is a top view of an embodiment of a slider;

[0011]FIG. 4 is a front view of the slider in FIG. 3;

[0012]FIG. 5 is a right side view of the slider in FIG. 3;

[0013]FIG. 6 is a left side view of the slider in FIG. 3;

[0014]FIG. 7 is a rear view of the slider above the fastening strips;

[0015]FIG. 8 is a rear view of the slider partially on the fasteningstrips;

[0016]FIG. 9 is a rear view of the slider attached to the fasteningstrips;

[0017]FIG. 10 is a top view of another embodiment of a slider;

[0018]FIG. 11 is a rear view of the fastening strips;

[0019]FIG. 12 is a rear view of another embodiment of fastening strips;

[0020]FIG. 13 is a rear view of another embodiment; and

[0021]FIG. 14 is a rear view of another embodiment.

[0022] While the present invention will be described and disclosed inconnection with certain embodiments and procedures, the intent is not tolimit the present invention to these embodiments and procedures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0023]FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a container in the form of aplastic bag 120 having a sealable closure device 121. The bag 120includes a first sidewall 122 and a second sidewall 123 joined at seams125, 126 to define a compartment accessible through the open top end butsealable by means of the closure device 121. The closure device 121includes first and second fastening strips 130, 131 and a slider 132.

[0024] The fastening strips 130, 131 and the slider 132 have alongitudinal X axis 102, a transverse Y axis 104 and a vertical Z axis106. The transverse Y axis 104 is perpendicular to the longitudinal Xaxis 102. The vertical Z axis 106 is perpendicular to the longitudinal Xaxis 102 and the vertical Z axis 106 is perpendicular to the transverseY axis 104.

[0025] The fastening strips 130, 131 are adapted to be interlockedbetween a first end and a second end. The slider 132 is mounted onto thefastening strips 130, 131 so that the slider 132 is restrained frombeing removed from the fastening strips 130, 131 but free to slide alongthe X axis 102. The slider 132 engages the fastening strips 130, 131 sothat when the slider 132 moves in an occlusion direction 114, thefastening strips 130, 131 interlock and the bag 120 is sealed, and whenthe slider 132 moves in a deocclusion direction 116, the fasteningstrips 130, 131 separate and the bag 120 is open.

[0026]FIG. 2 illustrates a partial top view of the closure device inFIG. 1 and depicts the fastening strips 130, 131 and slider 132. Theslider includes first and second side portions 142, 144 attached to atop portion 140. The first side portion 142 includes first and secondfront shoulders 150, 152. The first side portion 142 additionallyincludes first and second rear shoulders 160, 162. Similarly, the secondside portion 144 includes first and second front shoulders 154, 156 andfirst and second rear shoulders 164, 166.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 3-6, the first front shoulders 150, 154 aredisposed perpendicular to the side portions 142, 144 and are placedacross from each other. The second front shoulders 152, 156 are disposedparallel and in close proximity to the first front shoulders 150, 154and are likewise placed across from each other. Similarly, the firstrear shoulders 160, 164 are disposed perpendicular to the side portions142, 144 and are placed across from each other. The second rearshoulders 162, 166 are disposed parallel and in close proximity to thefirst rear shoulders 160, 164 and are likewise placed across from eachother.

[0028] The shoulders are such that some of the shoulders have a longerlength than other shoulders. Additionally, the shoulders may be placedsuch that if one shoulder is of a long length, then the shoulder acrossfrom it is of a short length. In addition, if a shoulder is of a longlength, then the shoulder next to that shoulder may be of a shortlength. Conversely, if the shoulder is of a short length, than theshoulders next to and across from it may be of a long length. Thissituation causes portions of the fastening strips to bend around theshoulders, which further makes it difficult to remove the slider fromthe fastening strips. For example, as best illustrated in FIG. 3,shoulder 150 is of a long length. The shoulder across from it, shoulder154, and the shoulder disposed next to it, shoulder 152, are both of ashort length.

[0029]FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the slider 132. The top portion140 of the slider includes a separator 133. The separator 133 may begenerally triangular in shape. The separator 133 facilitates thedeocclusion of the fastening strips. The first side portion 142 includesa first occlusion member 146. Similarly, the second side portion 144includes a second occlusion member 148. The first and second occlusionmembers 146, 148 facilitate occlusion of the fastening strips byapplying pressure to the fastening strips.

[0030] FIGS. 7-9 sequentially illustrate the attachment of the slider132 made in accordance with the present invention onto the fasteningstrips 130, 131 in the vertical Z axis 106. Although the followingdescription will be limited to the slider components illustrated in therespective view described, it will be appreciated that the other slidercomponents will function in a similar manner. For example, the firstfront shoulders 150, 154 of the slider 132 will operate in the samefashion as the second rear shoulders 162, 166 of the slider 132 duringattachment of the slider 132 onto the fastening strips 130, 131.

[0031]FIG. 7 depicts occluded fastening strips 130, 131 and a slider 132having first rear shoulders 160, 164 and second rear shoulders 162, 166in a relaxed position. The occluded fastening strips 130, 131 areimmediately below the slider 132. Referring to FIG. 8, the slider 132 ismoved in the vertical Z axis 106 towards the fastening strips 130, 131.The fastening strips engage the rear shoulders 160, 162, 164, 166 anddeflect the side portions 142, 144 outwardly in the transverse Y axis104. The fastening strips 130, 131 are guided into the slider 132 by theocclusion members 146, 148.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 9, upon further movement of the fastening strips130, 131 toward the slider 132 in the vertical Z axis 106, the rearshoulders 160, 162, 164, 166, and the side portions 142, 144 retractback to their relaxed position. In addition, the separator 133 is forcedbetween the flanges of the occluded fastening strips 130, 131.

[0033] During use of the slider 132 on the fastening strips 130, 131,the user may exert an upward force 180 in the Z axis 106 on the slider132 as shown in FIG. 9. The upward force will cause the shoulders toengage the fastening strips. The following description will be limitedto shoulders 160, 162, 164, 166. Thus, the shoulders 160, 162, 164, 166would engage the ribs 182, 184. If the user continues to apply theupward force 180, the force would be transmitted through the shoulders160, 162, 164, 166 to the first and second side portions 142, 144.

[0034] The first and second side portions 142, 144 would begin todeflect outward in directions 180, 188. However, the shoulder 162 islonger than shoulder 166. Thus, the force required to move the shoulder162 past the fastening strip 130 would be greater than the forcerequired to move the shoulder 166 past the fastening strip 131 due tothe additional distance to be traveled by the shoulder 162. Similarly,shoulders 160, 164 would operate in a similar manner. Therefore, moreforce is required to remove the slider 132 with one long shoulderopposite one short shoulder than one short shoulder opposite a secondshort shoulder. The other shoulders 150, 152, 154, 156 would operate ina similar manner.

[0035]FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of a slider 232. The slider232 includes a top portion 240, a first side portion 242 and a secondside portion 244. The side portions 242, 244 include first frontshoulders 250, 254 and first rear shoulders 260, 264. The shoulders 250,264 are of a long length and the shoulders 254, 260 are of a shortlength.

[0036] In keeping with a general aspect of the present invention and aswill be described in greater detail below, the interlocking fasteningstrips of the present invention may be of various types or forms.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 11, the fastening strips may be U-channelfastening strips as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,829,641. U-channelfastening strips include a first fastening strip 330 with a firstclosure element 336 and a second fastening strip 331 with a secondclosure element 334. The first closure element 336 engages the secondclosure element 334. The first fastening strip 330 may include a flange363 disposed at the upper end of the first fastening strip 330 and a rib367 disposed at the lower end of the first fastening strip 330. Thefirst fastening strip 330 may include a flange portion 369. Likewise,the second fastening strip 331 may include a flange 353 disposed at theupper end of the second fastening strip 331 and a rib 357 disposed atthe lower end of the second fastening strip 331. The second fasteningstrip 331 may include a flange portion 359. The side walls 322, 323 ofthe plastic bag 320 may be attached to the fastening strips 330, 331 byconventional manufacturing techniques.

[0038] The second closure element 334 includes a base portion 338 havinga pair of spaced-apart parallely disposed webs 340, 341, extending fromthe base portion 338. The base and the webs form a U-channel closureelement. The webs 340, include hook closure portions 342, 344 extendingfrom the webs 340, 341 respectively, and facing towards each other. Thehook closure portions 342, 344 include guide surfaces 346, 347 whichserve to guide the hook closure portions 342, 344 for occluding with thehook closure portions 352, 354 of the first closure element 336.

[0039] The first closure element 336 includes a base portion 348including a pair of spaced-apart, parallely disposed webs 350, 351extending from the base portion 348. The base and the webs form aU-channel closure element. The webs 350, 351 include hook closureportions 352, 354 extending from the webs 350, 351 respectively andfacing away from each other. The hook closure portions 352, 354 includeguide surfaces 345, 355, which generally serve to guide the hook closureportions 352, 354 for occlusion with the hook closure portions 342, 344of the second closure element 334. The guide surfaces 345, 355 may alsohave a rounded crown surface.

[0040] When the slider is moved in the occlusion direction, theseparator deoccludes the fastening strips 330, 331 as shown in FIG. 11.Referring to FIG. 11, the closure elements 334, 336 are deoccluded andspecifically, the upper hook portions 342, 352 and the lower hookportions 344, 354 are deoccluded.

[0041] The interlocking fastening strips, may comprise “arrowhead-type”or “rib and groove” fastening strips as shown in FIG. 12 and asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,806,998. The rib element 405 interlockswith the groove element 407. The rib element 405 is of generallyarrow-shape in transverse cross section including a head 410 comprisinginterlock shoulder hook portions 411 and 412 generally convergentlyrelated to provide a cam ridge 413 generally aligned with a stem flange414 by which the head is connected in spaced relation with respect tothe supporting flange portion 408. (U.S. Pat. No. 3,806,998, Col. 2,lines 16-23). At their surfaces nearest the connecting stem flange 414,the shoulder portions 411 and 412 define reentrant angles therewithproviding interlock hooks engageable with interlock hook flanges 415 and417 respectively of the groove element 407. (U.S. Pat. No. 3,806,998,Col. 2, lines 23-28). Said hook flanges generally converge toward oneanother and are spread open to receive the head 410 therebetween whensaid head is pressed into said groove element 407 until the head isfully received in a groove 418 of said groove element 407 generallycomplementary to the head and within which the head is interlocked byinterengagement of the head shoulder hook portions 411 and 412 and thegroove hook flanges 415 and 417. (U.S. Pat. No. 3,806,998, Col. 2, lines28-36). Through this arrangement, as indicated, the head and grooveelements 405 and 407 are adapted to be interlockingly engaged by beingpressed together and to be separated when forcably pulled apart, as bymeans of a generally U-shaped slider 419. (U.S. Pat. No. 3,806,998, Col.2, lines 36-41).

[0042] The slider 419 includes a flat back plate 420 adapted to runalong free edges 421 on the upper ends of the sections of the flangeportions 408 and 409 as shown in the drawing. (U.S. Pat. No. 3,806,998,Col. 2, lines 41-46). Integrally formed with the back plate 420 andextending in the same direction (downwardly as shown) therefrom arerespective coextensive side walls 422 with an intermediate spreaderfinger 423 extending in the same direction as the side walls at one endof the slider. (U.S. Pat. No. 3,806,998, Col. 2, lines 46-51). The sidewalls 422 are in the form of panels which are laterally divergent from anarrower end of the slider. (U.S. Pat. No. 3,806,998, Col. 2, lines51-55). The slider walls 422 are each provided with an inwardlyprojecting shoulder structure 424 flange adapted to engage respectiveshoulder ribs 425 and 427 on respectively outer sides of the lowersection of the flange portions 408 and 409. (U.S. Pat. No. 3,806,998,Col. 2, line 66 to Co. 3, line 3).

[0043] Additionally, the interlocking fastening strips may comprise“profile” fastening strips, as shown in FIG. 13 and described in U.S.Pat. No. 5,664,299. The first profile 516 has at least an uppermostclosure element 516 a and a bottommost closure element 516 b. (U.S. Pat.No. 5,664,299, Col. 3, lines 25-27). The closure elements 516 a and 516b project laterally from the inner surface of strip 514. (U.S. Pat. No.5,664,299, Col. 3, lines 27-28). Likewise, the second profile 517 has atleast an uppermost closure element 517 a and a bottommost closureelement 517 b. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,299, Col. 3, lines 28-30). Theclosure elements 517 a and 517 b project laterally from the innersurface of strip 515. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,299, Col. 3, lines 30-32).When the bag is closed, the closure elements of profile 516 interlockwith the corresponding closure elements of profile 517. (U.S. Pat. No.5,664,299, Col. 3, lines 32-34). Closure elements 516 a, 516 b, 517 aand 517 b have hooks on the ends of the closure elements, so that theprofiles remain interlocked when the bag is closed, thereby forming aseal. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,299, Col. 3, lines 34-37).

[0044] The straddling slider 510 comprises an inverted U-shaped memberhaving a top 520 for moving along the top edges of the strips 514 and515. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,299, Col. 4, lines 1-3). The slider 510 hasside walls 521 and 522 depending from the top 520. (U.S. Pat. No.5,664,299, Col. 4, lines 3-4). A separating leg 523 depends from the top520 between the side walls 521 and 522 and is located between theuppermost closure elements 516 a and 517 a of profiles 516 and 517.(U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,299, Col. 4, lines 26-30). The fastening assemblyincludes ridges 525 on the outer surfaces of the fastening strips 514and 515, and shoulders 521 b and 522 b on the side walls of the slider.(U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,299, Col. 4, lines 62-65). The shoulders act asmeans for maintaining the slider in straddling relation with thefastening strips by grasping the lower surfaces of the ridges 525. (U.S.Pat. No. 5,664,299, Col. 5, lines 4-7).

[0045] Also, the interlocking fastening strips may be “rolling action”fastening strips as shown in FIG. 14 and described in U.S. Pat. No.5,007,143. The strips 614 and 615 include profiled tracks 618 and 619extending along the length thereof parallel to the rib and grooveelements 616 and 617 and the rib and groove elements 616, 617 havecomplimentary cross-sectional shapes such that they are closed bypressing the bottom of the elements together first and then rolling theelements to a closed position toward the top thereof. (U.S. Pat. No.5,007,143, Col. 4, line 62 to Col. 5, line 1). The rib element 616 ishook shaped and projects from the inner face of strip 614. (U.S. Pat.No. 5,007,143, Col. 5, lines 1-3). The groove element 617 includes alower hook-shaped projection 617 a and a relatively straight projection617 b which extend from the inner face of strip 615. (U.S. Pat. No.5,007,143, Col. 5, lines 3-6). The profiled tracks 618 and 619 areinclined inwardly toward each other from their respective strips 614 and615. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,143, Col. 5, lines 6-8).

[0046] The straddling slider 610 comprises an inverted U-shaped plasticmember having a back 620 for moving along the top edges of the tracks618 and 619 with side walls 621 and 622 depending therefrom forcooperating with the tracks and extending from an opening end of theslider to a closing end. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,143, Col. 5, lines 26-31).A separator finger 623 depends from the back 620 between the side walls621 and 622 and is inserted between the inclined tracks 618 and 619.(U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,143, Col. 5, lines 34-36). The slider 610 hasshoulders 621 a and 622 a projecting inwardly from the depending sidewalls 621 and 622 which are shaped throughout the length thereof forcooperation with the depending separator finger 623 in creating therolling action in opening and closing the reclosable interlocking riband groove profile elements 616 and 617. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,143, Col.5, lines 43-49).

[0047] Although several interlocking fastening strip embodiments havebeen specifically described and illustrated herein, it will be readilyappreciated by those skilled in the art that other kinds, types, orforms of fastening strips may alternatively be used without departingfrom the scope or spirit of the present invention.

[0048] The interlocking fastening strips may be manufactured byextrusion through a die. The interlocking fastening strips may be formedfrom any suitable thermoplastic material including, for example,polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, or the like, or from a combinationthereof. Thus, resins or mixtures of resins such as high densitypolyethylene, medium density polyethylene, and low density polyethylenemay be employed to prepare the interlocking fastening strips. Forexample, the fastening strips may be made from low density polyethylene.

[0049] When the fastening strips are used in a sealable bag, thefastening strips and the films that form the body of the bag may beconveniently manufactured from heat sealable material. In this way, thebag may be economically formed by using an aforementioned thermoplasticmaterial and by heat sealing the fastening strips to the bag. Forexample, the bag may be made from a mixture of high pressure, lowdensity polyethylene and linear, low density polyethylene.

[0050] The fastening strips may be manufactured by extrusion or otherknown methods. For example, the closure device may be manufactured asindividual fastening strips for later attachment to the bag or may bemanufactured integrally with the bag. In addition, the fastening stripsmay be manufactured with or without flange portions on one or both ofthe fastening strips depending upon the intended use of the fasteningstrips or expected additional manufacturing operations.

[0051] The fastening strips can be manufactured in a variety of forms tosuit the intended use. The fastening strips may be integrally formed onthe opposing sidewalls of the container or bag, or connected to thecontainer by the use of any of many known methods. For example, athermoelectric device may be applied to a film in contact with theflange portion of the fastening strips or the thermoelectric device maybe applied to a film in contact with the base portion of fasteningstrips having no flange portion, to cause a transfer of heat through thefilm to produce melting at the interface of the film and a flangeportion or base portion of the fastening strips. Suitable thermoelectricdevices include heated rotary discs, traveling heater bands,resistance-heated slide wires, and the like. The connection between thefilm and the fastening strips may also be established by the use of hotmelt adhesives, hot jets of air to the interface, ultrasonic heating, orother known methods. The bonding of the fastening strips to the filmstock may be carried out either before or after the film is U-folded toform the bag. In any event, such bonding is done prior to side sealingthe bag at the edges by conventional thermal cutting. In addition, thefirst and second fastening strips may be positioned on opposite sides ofthe film. Such an embodiment would be suited for wrapping an object or acollection of objects such as wires. The first and second fasteningstrips should usually be positioned on the film in a generally parallelrelationship with respect to each other, although this will depend onthe intended use.

[0052] The slider may be multiple parts and snapped together. Inaddition, the slider may be made from multiple parts and fused or weldedtogether. The slider may also be a one piece construction. The slidercan be colored, opaque, translucent or transparent. The slider may beinjection molded or made by any other method. The slider may be moldedfrom any suitable plastic material, such as, nylon, polypropylene,polystyrene, acetal, toughened acetal, polyketone, polybutyleneterrephthalate, high density polyethylene, polycarbonate or ABS(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene).

[0053] From the foregoing it will be understood that modifications andvariations may be effectuated to the disclosed structures—particularlyin light of the foregoing teachings—without departing from the scope orspirit of the present invention. As such, no limitation with respect tothe specific embodiments described and illustrated herein is intended orshould be inferred. In addition, all references and copendingapplications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentireties.

What is claimed is:
 1. A closure device, comprising: first and secondinterlocking fastening strips arranged to be interlocked over apredetermined length; a slider slidably disposed on the fasteningstrips, the slider facilitating occlusion of the fastening strips whenmoved in one direction, the slider facilitating the deocclusion of thefastening strips when the slider is moved in the opposite direction, theslider includes a top portion, the slider includes a first side portion,the slider includes a second side portion; the first side portionincludes a first shoulder, the second side portion includes a secondshoulder, the second shoulder opposing the first shoulder, wherein thefirst shoulder has a longer length than the second shoulder.
 2. Theinvention as in claim 1 wherein the slider includes a third shoulder anda fourth shoulder, the third shoulder opposing the fourth shoulder, thethird shoulder has a length longer than the fourth shoulder.
 3. Theinvention as in claim 2 wherein the slider includes a fifth shoulder anda sixth shoulder, the fifth shoulder opposing the sixth shoulder,wherein the fifth shoulder has a length longer than the sixth shoulder.4. The invention as in claim 3 wherein the slider includes a seventhshoulder and an eighth shoulder, the seventh shoulder opposing theeighth shoulder, wherein the seventh shoulder has a length longer thanthe eighth shoulder.
 5. The invention as in claim 2 wherein the firstshoulder is in close proximity to the fourth shoulder and the secondshoulder is in close proximity to the third shoulder.
 6. The inventionas in claim 2 wherein the slider has a front portion and a rear portion,the first shoulder and the second shoulder are located in the frontportion, the third shoulder and the fourth shoulder are located in therear portion.
 7. The invention as in claim 2 wherein the slider has afront portion and a rear portion, the first shoulder and the secondshoulder are located in the front portion, the third shoulder and thefourth shoulder are located in the front portion.
 8. The invention as inclaim 2 wherein the first shoulder has a length substantially equal tothe length of the third shoulder.
 9. The invention as in claim 2 whereinthe first shoulder is substantially parallel to the fourth shoulder. 10.The invention as in claim 2 wherein the first side portion includes thefourth shoulder and the second side portion includes the third shoulder.11. The invention as in claim 1 wherein the fastening strips compriseU-channel type fastening strips.
 12. The invention as in claim 1 whereinthe fastening strips comprise arrowhead type fastening strips.
 13. Theinvention as in claim 1 wherein the fastening strips comprise profiletype fastening strips.
 14. The invention as in claim 1 wherein thefastening strips comprise rolling action type fastening strips.
 15. Acontainer comprising: first and second sidewalls joined to form acompartment with an opening; first and second interlocking fasteningstrips respectively connected to the first and second sidewalls at theopening, the fastening strips being arranged to be interlocked over apredetermined length; a slider slidably disposed on the fasteningstrips, the slider facilitating occlusion of the fastening strips whenmoved in one direction, the slider facilitating the deocclusion of thefastening strips when the slider is moved in the opposite direction, theslider includes a top portion, the slider includes a first side portion,the slider includes a second side portion; the first side portionincludes a first shoulder, the second side portion includes a secondshoulder, the second shoulder opposing the first shoulder, wherein thefirst shoulder has a longer length than the second shoulder.
 16. Amethod of manufacturing a closure device, comprising: providing firstand second interlocking fastening strips arranged to be interlocked overa predetermined length; providing a slider slidably disposed on thefastening strips, the slider facilitating occlusion of the fasteningstrips when moved in one direction, the slider facilitating thedeocclusion of the fastening strips when the slider is moved in theopposite direction, the slider includes a top portion, the sliderincludes a first side portion, the slider includes a second sideportion; the first side portion includes a first shoulder, the secondside portion includes a second shoulder, the second shoulder opposingthe first front shoulder, wherein the first shoulder has a longer lengththan the second shoulder.